The debate over internet, cable and mobile rates is far more complex

#LSN_Opinion haggling over how your cable, cellphone and Internet spending should be divvied

All the average citizen knows about their cable, mobile and Internet bills is that – like taxes – they always go up.

For those who care why this happens, a brief Twitter tour of #crtc will introduce you to the debates surrounding the inexhaustible and often catty haggling over how your cable, cellphone and Internet spending should be divvied up among the hagglers.

RISK: Economist Says Trudeau Tax Changes Could Cause Recession

#LSN_Opinion #LSN_Econ small businesses could “tip the economy into a recession.”

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - September 17, 2017 (LSN) A prominent Canadian economist says Justin Trudeau’s tax increases on Canadian entrepreneurs and small businesses could “tip the economy into a recession.”

As reported by BNN, David Rosenberg – an economist from Gluskin Sheff + Associates – said, “My disappointment with much of what already has been done, and the pledges to tax capital in all its forms, are only going to act as major constraints on growth.”

Provincial governments bear the burden of legalized marijuana

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO -- September 10, 2017 (LSN) There are strong correlations between how a drug or an indulgence, such as gambling, is made available to the public and the propensity for individuals to indulge in it, and the negative health and social outcomes associated with its use.

In other words, it matters how we legalize marijuana, not just that we legalize it.

The federal government is set on legalizing marijuana by summer 2018. While they will enjoy the political payoff of appearing progressive, all the problems and the logistics of legalizing pot will fall on the shoulders of the provincial governments.

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO -- September 9, 2017 (LSN) TransCanada announced they’ve suspended their application to build the $13.7B project. The company still wants to build the project, but says it might be cancelled due to significant changes to the regulation process.

Canada has around the third highest oil reserves on the planet yet still imports conflict oil from Middle East countries where barbaric practices abound, all because professional eco-radicals don’t want a pipeline and some government officials and bureaucrats want to keep their cushy taxpayer funded jobs.

You’d think our feminist Prime Minister, champion of human rights and minorities, would be opposed to bringing blood oil into the country. Instead, he’s responsible for bringing in more of it by putting an end to Energy East.

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, September 8, 2017 (LSN) Female Genital Mutilation is against our values as Canadians, and the government must send a clear message that it is unacceptable in our country.

Canadians believe in the equality of men and women under the law. That’s why there is such concern about the rise of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) taking place in our country.
From reports that more people are coming across the border to inflict the horrible procedure on girls in Canada, some people taking their children outside the country to perform the procedure, to a website advocating for the procedure in the country, there is rising concern that the horribly anti-women procedure is growing in the country.

The Alberta's overall score on labour market performance is in the bottom half of North American jurisdictions

#LSN_Opinion Alberta a black hole for private sector jobs

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO -- September 4, 2017 (LSN) Go west, young man. Not long ago that was sound advice for a young person struggling to find opportunities in Eastern and Central Canada. While it may still hold true for parts of Western Canada, it’s no longer the case for Alberta, once the pillar of western opportunity.

A strong labour market is critical for the prosperity of workers. It matches workers looking for the right job opportunity with employers looking for workers with the right skills.
In a high-performing labour market, opportunities abound with rapid job growth, low unemployment and high productivity. Until recently, Alberta was full of opportunities for those willing and able to work. Times have changed.

Fraser Institute study reveals “massive” cash grab

#LSN_Opinion Where does it all go?
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO August 27, 2017 (LSN) A new Fraser Institute study shows that the average Canadian family pays 42.5 per cent in taxes, including all types, demonstrating how much the government has been whittling away at our paycheques over the last 55 years

The Quebec government is planning to hand out welfare cheques to thousands of illegal border crossers

#LSN_Opinion Welfare cheques for thousands of illegal border crossers

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO August 25, 2017 (LSN) Quebec’s employment Minister Simon Laboissonniere estimates that 4,000 people will get the cheques for September.

According to the Canadian Press, the minimum payment per month will be $632 per person, and some will get more based on their family status.

The cheques will be given out over three days starting next Wednesday at Montreal’s Palais des congres convention centre.
After getting the cheques, the illegal border crossers will be asked to find a permanent place to live.

We should take a tough stance in support of our right to “Buy Canadian” for projects funded with our taxpayer dollars

#LSN_Opinion “Buy Canadian” In NAFTA Negotiations

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - August 20, 2017 (LSN) A new report says the U.S. government is planning to heavily push their “Buy American” plan in the NAFTA negotiations.

According to the Canadian Press, “While it’s being pulled in one direction by Canada and Mexico, urging it to reduce Buy American rules for public-works contracts, and in the other direction by domestic U.S. politicians seeking an increase in Buy American, the administration has issued a reminder that it’s working on a separate path.”

The U.S. says they’re working on a domestic study of the issue – and it’s expected their negotiators will say they can’t discuss it until that study concludes as they have issued a notice asking for public input. This effectively locks in the “Buy American” policy direction in the U.S. which is to be expected under an administration that explicitly campaigned on that idea.
As Dan Ujczo – a trade lawyer in Ohio – pointed out to the Canadian Press, “The issuance of this notice is a deliberate strategy for the USTR (US Trade Representative) to then say, ‘We can’t really talk about procurement, it’s a multilateral issue, it’s much broader than the NAFTA … and we have a process underway so we really can’t put this on the table for discussion.”
“So I think this is a way to essentially shut down that discussion…In my view, the U.S. is playing hardball on this issue.”

VANCOUVER, B.C./Troy Media/ August 8, 2017 (LSN) – With many of Canada’s largest provinces (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia) either committing to or considering a minimum wage of $15 per hour, many analysts – including us – note that this policy will hurt many vulnerable workers by reducing job opportunities.

But in an open letter to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, 53 “economic experts” dismissed this concern as “fear-mongering” and “out of line with the latest economic research.”

THUNDERE BAY, ONTARIO, August 6, 2017 (LSN) As resources are strained due to a massive surge of illegal border crossings, Justin Trudeau is facing increasing criticism for not doing anything to reduce the influx.

While at an event in Ontario, reporters tried to ask Trudeau if he thought the illegal border crossings should stop.

High hydro rates, cap-and-trade, and new legislation could push 22,000 jobs out of Ontario.Ontario is at risk of massive jobs losses.

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, July 23, 2017 (LSN) Magna International – Ontario’s largest auto sector employeer – is warning that the policies being imposed by the Ontario government could push them out of the province entirely.

The warning comes as Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is pushing legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and impose other requirements on businesses that some fear could lead to job cuts and more unemployment.

As reported by BNN, the warning from Magna was clear: ‘”We find ourselves in the very untenable position of questioning whether we will be able to continue to operate at historic levels in this province,” warned Magna Chief Human Resources Officer Marc Neeb in a submission to a committee studying the legislation.”